Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, announced on Sunday that the country will construct a 100 billion shekel ($27 billion) rail expansion project. This expansion aims to connect Israel’s outlying areas to metropolitan Tel Aviv and potentially establish overland links to Saudi Arabia in the future. The announcement comes after top U.S. officials visited Saudi Arabia last week to explore the possibility of formal relations between the two countries.
During the weekly Israeli cabinet meeting, Netanyahu focused on infrastructure initiatives, including the “One Israel Project.” This project aims to reduce travel time by train to the country’s business and government centers to two hours or less. Netanyahu also mentioned the potential for transporting cargo by rail from Eilat to the Mediterranean and establishing a train connection between Israel and Saudi Arabia and the Arabian peninsula.
Netanyahu’s remarks indicate that Israel is actively working towards these goals. By expanding its rail network, Israel aims to improve transportation within the country and potentially strengthen its ties with Saudi Arabia. This announcement comes amidst a constitutional crisis that has affected Israel for the past seven months, impacting its economy and raising concerns about its democratic health.
In conclusion, Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, announced a significant rail expansion project that aims to connect outlying areas to Tel Aviv and potentially establish links to Saudi Arabia. This infrastructure initiative, known as the “One Israel Project,” seeks to reduce travel time and improve transportation within the country. Netanyahu’s remarks highlight Israel’s commitment to these goals and its efforts to overcome the ongoing constitutional crisis.